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Sen. Bob Corker "relishes" president role, won't rule out 2016 bid

Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker met with the Jackson Sun editorial board Wednesday afternoon and said he relishes the office of the president and the influence it possesses, but stopped short of saying whether or not he would run for president in 2016.

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R.-Tenn., met with The Jackson Sun editorial board Wednesday afternoon and said he relishes the office of the president and the influence it possesses, but stopped short of saying whether he would run for the highest office in the land in 2016.

"The order of magnitude difference that someone can make in the Senate and in that job is just not even in the same sphere," the two-term senator said.

"I do relish the role," Corker said. "I do know the huge difference that you can make in the two positions."

Corker, who is the ranking Republican on the Committee of Foreign Relations, said that his name comes up often as a possible presidential candidate because of his foreign policy role, but that the Republican who runs for president should have a larger national profile than himself.

If Corker joined the race, he would face such competition such as fellow Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Marco Rubio of Florida and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Corker also hasn't taken any clear steps to organize or make appearances in early primary states.

Corker also listed his wife's reluctance for Washington, D.C. living and ineffective politicians who don't get as much accomplished as reasons why he would be hesitant in running for office.

"They become less effective because they become not wanting to do those things that are out there that are edgy that you have to do to actually make a difference in the country," Corker said. "And I don't know that I want to give that up."

Corker also addressed his recent opinion piece in the Washington Post regarding President Barack Obama's foreign policy and economic development in West Tennessee. Read more about what he had to say in Thursday's paper.